Abusir Necropolis: History, Pyramids

Abu Sir | Abu Sir Egypt

Abu Sir is located on the west bank of the Nile River, 25 kilometers southwest of Cairo. It is part of the necropolis of ancient Memphis with the pyramid of the fifth dynasty, the temple of the sun and a number of tombs-mastabas of the late period. It stretches from the north of Giza to the lower reaches of the Saqqara.

Nehen-Re and Hatshepsut built the temple of the sun in them. And there are many pyramids in it. Sahura was the first to build himself a pyramid complex in Abu Sir, his pyramids are smaller than those of the fourth dynasty.

Sahur's funerary monument is the most complete of the four royal tombs in Abusir, consisting of a temple in the valley, a pavement, a shrine and a pyramid. The large portico of the tomb-temple overlooked a large courtyard with a well-preserved basalt floor and a colonnade consisting of sixteen palm columns made of red granite. The last one is destroyed.

The remains of the limestone walls with beautiful paintings were transferred to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

In the marine temple, red granite was used for palm columns that stood in an open courtyard; the white limestone walls were decorated with carved decorative scenes depicting mythical scenes of a ruler winning a battle against Egypt's traditional enemies: hunting scenes; and ships.

Behind the colonnade there was a group of storerooms surrounding a chamber with statues, statues of the king stood in niches, behind the pyramid there was a sanctuary with an alabaster altar.

The temple in the Sahura Valley was connected to the Nile by a canal laid along a causal path. A cable car led to the mortuary temple.

The Pyramid of Neferirkar

The complex of the pyramids of Neferirkar, This pyramid was changed during construction from a stepped pyramid into a real pyramid. Its height reaches 74 meters. But the case remained unfinished. As a result of the premature death of the ruler, the temple was built of mud bricks and wood by his sons.

Pyramid of Neferir: -.

Neferirkare, the eldest son of Neferfre, ruled for 2 years, his unfinished pyramid turned into a mastaba, and a temple of mud bricks was built in the eastern part.

The Pyramid of Novoserre:-.

It was the northeastern corner of the pyramid of Neferirkare, the open courtyard of the tomb temple was decorated with papyrus-shaped columns of red granite with relief decoration.a

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Abu Sir is an archaeological site in Egypt located near Cairo, known for its ancient pyramids and historical significance. While it may not be as famous as Giza or Saqqara, it is an intriguing destination for travelers interested in ancient Egyptian history. The primary attractions in Abu Sir include:

   Abu Sir Pyramids: Abu Sir is home to a cluster of pyramids, built during the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. These pyramids are smaller and less frequently visited than those in Giza, making them a more tranquil destination for tourists.

   Pyramid of Neferirkare: The Pyramid of Neferirkare is one of the most significant structures in Abu Sir. It was built for Pharaoh Neferirkare Kakai and is characterized by its unique L-shaped substructure.

   Pyramid of Sahure: The Pyramid of Sahure, dedicated to Pharaoh Sahure, is another noteworthy structure in the area. It features a well-preserved mortuary temple and a causeway leading to a valley temple.

   Pyramid of Neferefre: Also known as the Pyramid of Raneferef, this structure was constructed for Pharaoh Neferefre. Although it is partially ruined, it offers insights into ancient pyramid construction techniques.

   Abu Sir Sun Temples: In addition to the pyramids, the Abu Sir site includes sun temples dedicated to various pharaohs. These temples played a crucial role in the religious and astronomical practices of ancient Egypt.

   Abu Ghurab: Located nearby, Abu Ghurab is another archaeological site of interest. It features the remnants of a sun temple built by Pharaoh Nyuserre Ini and is known for its sun altar and reconstructed obelisks.

   Exploration and Research: Abu Sir offers a unique opportunity for archaeologists and researchers to study lesser-known pyramid complexes, helping to expand our understanding of ancient Egyptian history.

 

 

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